A Maryland hairstylist is at the center of a social media firestorm after a viral video showed her physically dragging a 15-year-old client over an unpaid hairstyle. Jayla Cunningham, 18, now faces a second-degree assault charge, with a court date set for April 18.
The incident unfolded after Cunningham installed a $150 weave for the teenage girl, only for tensions to erupt when payment issues arose. In the now-infamous footage, Cunningham can be seen pulling the girl by her hoodie and dragging her through the salon as onlookers react in shock. The stylist then proceeds to cut out the weave she had just installed, furious over what she claimed was an attempted dine-and-dash.
Hairstylist Defends Her Actions: “She Ran!”
Cunningham has doubled down on her actions, unapologetically defending herself against critics. She claims the teenager attempted to flee without paying, forcing her to take matters into her own hands.
“She ran. Forget trash, she ran without paying me,” Cunningham said in an interview. “I dragged her by her hood back into the salon until I could get paid or until the police came. If I didn’t do that, she would have been gone, and I would have never been paid.”
Cunningham argues that her reaction was necessary, asserting that if stylists let clients walk away without paying, they risk losing not only their hard work but also their livelihood. She believes that the internet has blown the situation out of proportion and that many critics fail to understand the reality of dealing with scammers in the beauty industry.
The Teen’s Mother Tells a Different Story
The 15-year-old’s mother, however, paints a starkly different picture. She claims her daughter was not trying to steal the service but was instead dealing with a CashApp mishap that resulted in the money being sent to the wrong recipient.
Rather than giving her daughter the chance to fix the issue, the mother alleges that Cunningham forcefully grabbed the teen by her hair and dragged her through the salon in front of horrified witnesses.
“It’s absolutely absurd,” the mother stated. “My daughter is now traumatized over something that could have been handled with patience and professionalism. Instead, she’s being humiliated all over the internet.”
The mother has since filed a police report and is exploring legal options against Cunningham, including a potential civil lawsuit.
“Horrendous and Unjustified” – Attorney Speaks Out
The family has also retained attorney De’Aja Thompson, who is not holding back in her condemnation of Cunningham’s behavior.
“This video is horrendous,” Thompson said. “A minor was physically dragged, humiliated, and attacked over what appears to be a simple miscommunication about payment. There is no justification for laying hands on a child in this manner.”
The lawyer emphasized that no business dispute should ever escalate to physical violence—especially when the client involved is a minor.
The Internet Reacts: Death Threats and Divided Opinions
The video has exploded online, drawing millions of views and igniting heated debates. Social media users are deeply divided, with some siding with the young hairstylist, arguing that stylists deserve protection from non-paying customers. Others are calling for Cunningham’s arrest and permanent ban from the beauty industry, saying her reaction was completely unprofessional and unhinged.
In the midst of the backlash, Cunningham has revealed that she is now receiving death threats and fears for her safety. She claims that people have taken things too far and that her life is being ruined over a situation that could have been resolved differently.
“People are threatening me like I committed a murder. I was just trying to get paid for my work,” she said.
The Upcoming Court Battle
With her April 18 court date fast approaching, Cunningham is preparing to fight the second-degree assault charge. She has stated that she plans to bring a witness to testify on her behalf, hoping to provide more context about what happened that day.
Meanwhile, the teen and her family are seeking justice for what they describe as a humiliating and traumatic ordeal.
The case has now sparked larger conversations about professionalism in the beauty industry, how service providers should handle non-paying clients, and whether Cunningham’s reaction was an act of self-defense or outright assault.
Regardless of where people stand, one thing is certain: this isn’t over.
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